I can't believe that the time has come. The last 18 months have gone by so fast. But I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve as a missionary. I can't even describe the feelings in my heart. But I am full of peace, comfort, love, and lots of happiness :)
Well, let me tell you all about the miracles that we have seen this week! Tuesday we went to the temple with our mission leader and his mother. It was INCREDIBLE! It was so special to be in the Los Angles Temple one more time before returning home. I am excited that I will be able to go more often and be able to learn more about our Heavenly Father's plan. And....while we were in the temple, I saw a member from the Newbury park branch and it was so good to see him before I leave. It was such a blessing :)
Then.....Maria and Salvador WERE MARRIED!!! And after....Salvador WAS BAPTIZED!!! Ah!!! It was so amazing, and I am so thankful that I was able to be there to see Salvador make this covenant with our Heavenly Father. Presidente Felix married them and it was so simple and intimate. It was just us, other misisonaries, (who have taught Maria when she was baptized), Presidente and Hermana Felix, and another family from the ward. It was so beautiful and everyone is excited for February 6, 2017 when we will all go to the temple to see them be sealed :) Then, later the baptism was really beautiful. There were lots of members there supporting them with this next step. Then after the baptism, he told us that he felt something in his chest that couldn't describe. Then yesterday after he was confirmed he looked so happy and content :)
Well, before finishing, I would like to share a few thoughts with you all :) I have been studying a lot about the mission of Christ these last few weeks and the other day I was reading reading about the last few moments of His life when He was on the cross. Nobody could take His life away, only He decided when His mission was finished. I loved that He didn't finish until He had done EVERYTHING that His Father needed Him to do. In John 6:38 it says, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."
I also know that I came down from heaven to do the will of the Him who sent me. And these last few days I have really felt in my heart that I have finished everything that my Father in Heaven needed me to do. I know that I still have things to do today and tomorrow. But I feel so much peace that I have completed and served to do best of my ability.
I can say that these last 18 months have changed me. I have been able to met my goal of inviting other to come unto Christ and increase their faith in Him. I have taught them about repentance and I have seen many of them be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. I have been able to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord and that has been the best.
I know that I am not perfect. I still have many weaknesses and I make many errors, but I am better than I was before. And I can really say that I am more converted to Christ and his Gospel.
These scritpures in D&C 100:3-4 have really helped me during times of change on my mission and they say, " 3 Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round about; and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about in this eastern land. 4 Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls."
I know that now that I am going back to Utah, it is part of the Lord's plan and I know that I have things I need to do there.
I love you all so much, thank you for all your help, support, and love during this time in my life. Thank you for your examples. I love you and I'm excited to see you all :)
I just want to leave you with my testimony. I know that God is my loving Father in Heaven. I know that He loves us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ. I know the Christ did everything He did because of the great love He has for us. I know that He died, was resurrected, and lives today. I have felt of His help and support during difficult times. I know that when we follow Him, we are happy and the joy that we feel is a joy that comes from heaven. I know that the Prophet Joseph Smith restored this great church and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God that He was given to help us. I love my Savior, and I am so grateful for Him.
I invite you to share your testimony with someone this week. I know that Lord will help you share it :)
See you soon!!
- Hermana Cuevas Da
Silva ♥
We went to the temple!
We had a wedding.....
......and a baptism!!